A 13-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a stabbing incident at a secondary school in north London that left two pupils seriously injured. Emergency services were called to Kingsbury High School on Bacon Lane in Brent at around 12.40pm. Two boys, aged 12 and 13, were found with stab wounds and were taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service. Police said both victims are believed to be in a serious condition.

Officers launched an urgent search for a teenage suspect, which resulted in the arrest of a 13-year-old later in the day. A weapon believed to have been used in the attack has since been recovered. Police confirmed they are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with the incident.

Due to the circumstances surrounding the attack, the investigation is now being overseen by Counter Terrorism Policing London. However, Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams stressed that the incident has “not currently been declared a terrorist-related matter”.

The school was placed into lockdown while officers carried out their search, with pupils and staff prevented from entering or leaving the site. The lockdown remained in place for several hours as detectives worked to secure the scene and gather information.

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan described the incident as “appalling” and urged anyone with information to come forward. In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, he said: “My thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community in Brent following the shocking stabbings today. This violence has absolutely no place in our city."

“A suspect has been arrested, and I remain in close contact with the Metropolitan Police as their investigation continues. It is vital that every possible line of inquiry is explored. The Met has deployed significant resources, and I urge anyone with information to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously. There is no honour in staying silent.”

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also expressed her concern, calling the incident a “shocking attack” in a post on social media platform X. “My thoughts and prayers are with the two children who were injured, their families, and everyone affected,” she said. “I thank the police for their swift action in arresting the suspect and urge that they are given the space to carry out their investigation.”

Parents arriving at the school described scenes of distress as pupils were released hours after the school day ended. Some children were visibly upset, with several being held inside the school as potential witnesses.

One father, whose child is in Year Eight, said pupils who witnessed the incident were deeply affected. “They’re keeping the children who were in the classroom,” he said. “Obviously, what they saw will have been incredibly traumatic.”

Another parent, Simon Theodorou, suggested the suspect may have known those involved. “I understand the attacker may have been targeting people he was familiar with,” he said. “t’s a good school — incidents like this are rare, and when concerns arise, they’re usually dealt with very firmly.”

Police investigations remain ongoing.